EagleEye satellite mission faces communication and power challenges but remains salvageable, with ongoing efforts to restore contact.
The EagleEye satellite, launched on August 16, has encountered communication problems since August 25. Despite the issues, Creotech maintains that the mission is not lost. Engineers believe they have likely resolved positioning problems after calculating the satellite’s expected orbit using telemetry data. Ground-based telescope observations confirmed this orbit.
Power System Challenges
Another suspected cause of the disruption involves a power issue. Tests conducted on a functional twin of the satellite (FlatSat) suggest that protective mechanisms designed to prevent overvoltage malfunctioned under specific space conditions, leading to reduced voltage across the satellite’s systems. This has likely caused the ongoing communication failures.
Efforts to Restore Communication
Creotech is attempting to re-establish communication, testing a solution on FlatSat that will be applied when the satellite’s solar positioning aligns with Earth. Although the timeline remains uncertain, the mission is not yet considered lost. Creotech continues to update the satellite’s platform and prepare for future missions.